Chinese and Turkish textile companies plan to supply uniforms for the Tunisian armed forces over the next three years for a value estimated at around $22.7 billion.

As per Nafaa Ennaifer, President, Tunisian Textile Federation, the contracts awarded to the foreign companies are valued between $21.2 billion and 22.7 billion.

According to Ennaifer, the deal to purchase 180,000 combat uniforms per year would deprive Tunisian companies of a transaction worth between 70 and 75 million dinars over 3 years.

The Ministry of National Defense argued that over the past three years, 73 per cent of government contracts in the military uniform industry have been awarded to local suppliers, TAP reports.

The Ministry of Defense favors local products and encourages Tunisian producers to get in tune with technical requirements so as to achieve efficient production lines.

The ministry added that the participation of local producers in tenders was low and not in conformity, in majority, with the required technical standards in coordination with the Technical Center of the textile.